I took a moment from playing kickball with the friendly and energetic young boy in the courtyard to catch a glimpse of Marissa inside the hut.

My heart flipped at what I saw. Marissa was standing there holding a baby while she rocked back and forth and smiled with delight.

I knew she could be a stubborn pain in the ass sometimes, but I knew it was only her subconscious trying to act out on her fears.

Perhaps fate brought us together so that I could help her work out the issues in her life that made her afraid and she could benefit from a more enjoyable life. I had to cling to the determination that I still had a chance to make her my bride.

“Okay, little buddy, I’ve got to go back inside now and talk to the ladies,” I said to the little boy in our native Alpazonian dialect. He gave me a wave as I walked away.

I came up next to Marissa, who beamed.

“You look very natural holding that new baby,” I observed as I gave her a hug around the waist.

“Thank you. This feels better than I thought it would,” she admitted and smiled up at me.

Yes! There was still hope left.

“Well, we need to start heading back to the palace before nightfall,” I said. “I hate to take you away from your new friends though.”

Marissa looked at the women. “I’ll keep in touch, okay?”

“That sounds wonderful.” Antai smiled and took the baby.

As we said goodbye to the villagers, Marissa clasped my hand in hers. It was as if liquid gold ran through my veins and warmed me in that moment.

“I just wanted you to know I had a really great time with you today. I’d like to spend more fun moments with you. Thank you again for taking me to the town.”

“You’re welcome,” I beamed at her and squeezed her hand. “I would do anything for you.”

“I’m beginning to realize that,” she admitted.

An idea came to me before we actually made our flight back to the palace. I wanted to show her something important to me.

I stopped walking. “Hey, do you want to see something?”

She turned to face me. “Yeah, what is it?”

“There’s a very special place on Alpazon that I would like to show you before we return home. Would you like to go there?”

“Yes, I’d love to!” Her eyes lit up with excitement that made my stomach flip with delight.

We climbed on top of the Darailtar and I guided the animal to the top of the mountain, which overlooked a huge valley.

Once we landed, I helped Marissa climb down. “Come look.” I pointed with enthusiasm.

I brought her to the edge, where sparkling waves of purple grass bent and swayed as the wind swept across the land. It was remarkable and magical. I couldn’t help but swell with pride to call this planet my home.

“Here’s something you probably wouldn’t see on Earth.” I tossed a glance at her and her mouth dropped.

“Wow, this is incredibly beautiful,” she whispered as I watched her take in the scenery.

“And we made it just in time for the sunset, too,” I added and placed my arm around her waist.

She snuggled close to me as we looked out at the horizon, the sun casting a bluish-purplish glow across the sky, which reflected itself upon the ground below as well.

Marissa laid her head against the side of my chest and I wrapped both of my arms around her.

She let out a contented sigh. “This is the most gorgeous landscape that I have ever seen in my entire life,” she said dreamily.

“That’s why I wanted to bring you here,” I said. “This place represents freedom, magic, and all the splendor of the world. Well, at least in my opinion.” I chuckled lightheartedly.

Marissa gazed up at me as if she were just seeing me for the first time with a new pair of eyes, or perhaps it was from a new and more compassionate perspective.

“I can agree with that,” she said softly as we both looked out at the sunset.

“The sunset reminds me of you,” I mentioned after a few moments of contented silence between us.

“Really? How so?” She looked back up at me.

“Well, for starters, you are bright and bold—just like the sun.”

She laughed. “If you say so.”

I turned to face her. “Really, I mean it. Also, you are warm on the inside and you bring light to my life.”

My heart fluttered as I watched the expression on her face turn from doubt to complete infatuation with me.

“You are so kind, Kadic, I would never be able to find someone as gentle as you back on Earth.”

“Thank you,” I said, absorbing the compliment.

“I want to savor every magical minute of this time up here in the valley,” she admitted.

“If you want, I can bring you up here anytime you need resounding peace of mind,” I offered.

“I’d love that. It would be great to read up here, too,” she added.

“That’s the librarian side of you coming out,” I said playfully.

She laughed. “I love to find perfect reading spots.”

I waited until the sun had completely set to turn Marissa around to face me. Her face was a silhouette of striking shadows.

“Marissa, even though we are from different worlds, you mean everything to me. I know sometimes you don’t see your true beauty, but I just want to tell you tonight how exquisite your true beauty really lives, inside and out. You shine like the sun that just set behind us.”

I could feel Marissa’s body relax into mine. “You’re very handsome as well. Maybe we would make really cute kids together,” she joked.

I hope that will still be a plausible situation for our future together.

I thought it was the perfect time to ease in for a kiss. I leaned in gently and brushed the hair away from her face.

Her skin was soft and warm. I delicately planted my lips on hers and savored the scent of her perfume, the taste of her soft and glossy lips.

She melted into me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she sighed softly with contentment. My tongue tickled the inside of her mouth as we shared a passionate kiss. Sparks might as well have flown all around us as the chemistry between us sizzled to a peak.

I wanted desperately to take her home and make love to her. “Let’s go home now and get warmed up,” I offered.

“That sounds great.” She smiled.

As we walked back to the Darailtar, I watched as her long hair undulated in the wind, tickling the sides of her neck. I was really beginning to fall in love with her.

It was scary, it was surreal, and it was marvelous.